Best ever ODI batsman

[Teja.]

Viv Richards, then daylight. They daylight again.

Yeah, this.

As to 2, 3 and 4, I have a feeling Bevan had the advantage of playing in his peak of 'only' 10 years and hence I reckon, Tendulkar, who has played twice as much should win this one. Zaheer Abbas is really underrated as an ODI bat and he wasn't really that far odd Viv as an ODI bat, even on SR.

So:-

1.Viv Richards
2.Sachin Tendulkar
3.Zaheer Abbas
4.Micheal Bevan


Agree re Viv's ODI exploits often creeping in while judging his test career as well.

 

[M0rphin3]

Tough one between Viv & Tendulkar. Bevan is slightly overrated, imo.

 

[Shri]

Tendulkar. I haven't seen much of Viv's ODI batting.

 

[Migara]

So what makes him hands down better than Bevan considering his average is 45 to Bevan's 53.

The strike rate of 75 vs 86 and longevity, and to add, the ability to play the short ball.

 

[GotSpin]

The strike rate of 75 vs 86 and longevity, and to add, the ability to play the short ball.

Myth

 

[Jono]

Had always been Viv for me, but that 200 from Sachin has made me reevaluate things. IMO Sachin is the almost the Bradman of the one day game.

I remember after Sachin came close twice to getting 200 (vs. NZ when he had to retire hurt, and vs. Aus in that epic 350 chase when he spooned one to short fine leg) you posted that it'd be perfect if he could be the first batsman to get to 200.

When he actually did it I thought of your post. It was one of those "nice" records, where Sachin having that record was just perfect in a way.

Lara reclaiming his highest test score record 10 years on from setting it against the same team he set it against was also a similar feeling.

 

[Debris]

The strike rate of 75 vs 86 and longevity, and to add, the ability to play the short ball.

Longevity seems to be the main argument for Tendulkar. And his average is 8 less than a player who couldn't even play the short ball, fairly embarassing for Tendulkar. Stirkerate is probably a factor of Tendulkar playing into the modern era.

The arguments for Richards have been more convincing.

 

[Teja.]

Tbf, If someone averaged 8 runs less and played for twice as long as Tendulkar(40+ years), I'd probably rate him better.

 

[M0rphin3]

Tie between Richards and Anwar.

Holy ****

 

[M0rphin3]

So what makes him hands down better than Bevan considering his average is 45 to Bevan's 53.

Played as an opener for most part of his career. Hence got significantly less number of not outs compared to Bevan ala Dhoni.

 

[Prince EWS]

Lol, I sometime wonder if you say 'nah' for the sake of disagreeing , It was widely accepted that Greenidge was the slightly better test bat & Haynes the better one-day bat.

I disagree with what is "widely regarded" pretty often tbh.

 

[Jono]

Also, can we add Kohli to the poll please.

 

[Zinzan]

And Mills plse

 

[Shri]

Longevity seems to be the main argument for Tendulkar. And his average is 8 less than a player who couldn't even play the short ball, fairly embarassing for Tendulkar. Stirkerate is probably a factor of Tendulkar playing into the modern era.

The arguments for Richards have been more convincing.

Tendulkar's SR has been pretty much unchanged over the two decades. That theory falls flat on its face.

 

[morgieb]

The strike rate of 75 vs 86 and longevity, and to add, the ability to play the short ball.

Technique is irrelevant afaic. And how many games did Richards win single-handedly? Both players had long careers, and Bevo would've lasted until 2007 had he not got the sack.

 

[morgieb]

If Bevo was so slow, why did Australia win so many games when he was batting?

 

[Shri]

Because he didn't have Michael Clarke in the other end! Zing!

 

[Jono]

And Mills plse

I remember Mills' batting most for this knock:

HowSTAT! ODI Scorecard

Scared the **** out of me.

 

[M0rphin3]

Technique is irrelevant afaic. And how many games did Richards win single-handedly? Both players had long careers, and Bevo would've lasted until 2007 had he not got the sack.

1st ODI: England v West Indies at Manchester, May 31, 1984 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

Arugably the best ever ODI innings.

 

[Prince EWS]

**** I hate the concept of 'winning matches single-handedly'. It never, ever happens. If someone takes all ten wickets - all bowled and lbw - and scores more runs himself than the whole opposition lineup, then we can start talking about it. Man of the match in a winning cause, is different.